Drafting table



N. S. RYDER DRAFTING TABLE July 18, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 19, 1946 QYWWMM ll alw's /gu/en Wa /6 N. S. RYDER DRAFTING TABLE Jul; 18, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 19, 1946 "i u niol N. S. RYDER DRAFTING TABLE July 18, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 19, 1946 H 4A) GHQ mu N. S. RYDER DRAFTING TABLE July 18, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 19, 1946 Patented July 18, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,515,474 DRAFTINGTABLE Norris s. Ryder, Chicago, 111.

Application September 19, 1946, Serial No.698,000

, 12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to certain new and usefulsimprovements in drafting tables and. has for its principal object the provision of an improved construction of this character, which. will be highly efficientrinuse and economical inmanufacture.

More particularly, the invention. relates to a table especially designed and intended. for use by engineers, draftsmem. artists,..students and many others. It .hasfor a principal object the provision of a .draftin table operatively vassociated with an enclosure whereby the. table when in use may be extended from the. enclosure, held in a proper adjustedposition, either over a work table or by means of supportinglegsindependent of a work table, and when notin use be folded and positioned within the enclosure for storage pending future use thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a drafting table capable of movement" into and from extended position-and designed :to accomplish this 1 object. by relatively. few .parts which, when operatively associated togethenare of simple operation, and which partsnlay. be economically manufactured v and expeditiously assembled.

Yet another; and equally-important object of the invention. is the' provision'of a carriagefor the drafting table operableiin anenclosure and movable therein to and from. extended'position with respect thereto with ease=and by manual .or mechanical means.

Another and equally important" object: of. the invention is the provision of a drafting table which when not in use may be stored away. pend.- ing futureuse within an enclosurewhich may be moved about with a minimum of effort upon the part of the user.-

Ancillaryto'the foregoing objects is the. provision of a drafting board and an enclosuretherefor when notin use and in which the draft- Fig.- 4. is a vertical cross sectional detail View of the invention showing the partsthereof in partially extended position;

Fig. 5 is afragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially 0n'1ine -5-'5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is asectional detai-l view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a carriageblock embodied in the invention;

Fig. .8 is a fragmentary side view of the same;

Fig. .9 is. a fragmentary end view of the same; and

Fig. 10 is-a diagrammaticall detail view illustrating .a suggested form of mechanical elevating means embodied in the invention;

The several objects of my invention are accomplishedby the preferred form'of construction as shown in the-accompanying drawings.

As an object'ofthe invention is to provide a drafting .board which may be expeditiouslyand with the minimum degree of effort movedinto a desired drafting position andmoved to a position within an enclosure, it is most desirable that these objects be accomplished by a structure having minimum simplicity and parts.

To accomplish. this and the several other objects of my invention, I provide an enclosure 28 in the form of a substantially box-like housing comprising -a front wall 2|, end walls 22 and a back wall 23,. This enclosure maybe formed of any approved material and the walls thereof may besecuredtogether by any desirable means.

The front wall 21 is of a height lessthan the height of the rear and back walls 22 and 23 respectively whereby to provide at the upper end of the enclosureZllan entrance 24.

When the drafting board and its supporting structure, hereinafter more fully described'are confined withinthe enclosure 20, the entrance 24 is closed by-a suitable cover 25 comprising an, outer section 26- adaptedto constitute the upper extension of the front wall 2|. This cover 25 further comprises'an intermediate section 2'! hinged asat 28 to adjacent edge porti0ns29'an d SDrespectively of the outer section 26 and the rearwall 23.

If desirable, a suitable lock or latch may be provided'for locking or latching the cover in a closed position. This lock or latch-has not been shown or described because it constitutes no part of the-present invention. Any approved locker latch may be employed.

The enclosure 20 provides a base 31. Within this base3l, at opposite-ends thereof, are fixed base blocks 32; Extending upwardly from these base blocks 32 are guide rods 33, there being two of such guide rods 33 to each block. These guide rods are preferably cylindrical in cross section, however they may be of any approved shape and formed of such material as will best serve the purpose. These guide rods 33 are arranged in pairs and upon each pair of guide rods, there is slidably arranged a carriage block 34.

These carriage blocks 34 each comprise side body portions 35, providing parallel fingers 36. The fingers 36 of one carriage block are rigidly connected together with the fingers 36 of the companion carriage block by means of side bars 31, the connection being accomplished by means of suitable connecting elements such as screw bolts 38 or the like.

As the carriage blocks are both of the same shape and construction, the following description with reference to one of such blocks will be equally applicable to the other.

In this connection, adjacent corners of the block 34 provide bearing sleeves 39, through which are slidably received the guide rods 33. On the upper face of the block 34 and inwardly of the outer edge 48 thereof is a connecting lug 4| to which is pivotally connected as at 42 one end portion of an extension arm 43.

Inwardly of this lug 4| is a similar connecting lug 44 and to this lug 44 is pivotally connected as at 45 one end portion of a telescoping arm 46.

The extension arm 43 comprises two sections 41 and 48 hingedly connected as at 49. The opposite end portion of the extension arm 43 is pivotally connected as at 58 to a post hereinafter more fully described.

The telescoping arm 46' comprises sections 52 preferably tubular in form so that they may telescope when moved into collapsed position with respect to each other. It is desirable that some means be provided for latching these sections 52 in adjusted position with respect to each other. In this regard, I have provided suitable clamp screws 53. These clamps may be of any approved construction such as will bind the sections 52 in an adjusted position.

The outer-most section of the sections 52 is pivotally connected as at 54 to a bracket 55 pref erably formed as a part of a cap 56. I

This cap 56 has fitted therein the opposite end portions 51 of parallel bars 58 and 58.

In practice, these bars 58 are arranged in pairs with one pair extending parallel with respect to each of the edge portions 59 of a drafting'board 68, the drafting board 68 being supported between the parallel bars 58 and 58' with its longitudinal edge portions 6| resting upon supporting plates 62, secured in any suitable mannerto the caps 56 and the caps 63, the latter mounted upon the opposite end portions 64 of the bars 58 and 58.

The bars 58' are disposed beneath the bars 58 and these bars 58' are provided with longitudinal slots 65.

Movably arranged in each of these bars 58 is a. carriage 66 comprising a carriage plate 61 having a cross sectional configuration corresponding to the cross sectional shape of the bar 58' and supporting suitable bearing balls 68 mounted in suitable races 69, whereby the carriage plate 61 will have freedom of movement within the bar 58'.

This carriage plate 61 has a mounting block 18 which extends through the slot 65 and is secured to the carriage plate 61 by suitable bolts 1 I.

The post 5|, Figs. 1 and 5, extends froma mounting block 12 including a carriage plate 13 similar to the carriage plate 61 and mounted for movement in a track arm 14. This track arm 14 has a longitudinally extending slot 15, through which the block 12 moves. The carriage plate 13 includes suitable ball bearings 16 mounted in suitable races 11 for purpose of free movement.

This track arm 14, at its outer end portion, carries a cap 18 having a suitable clamp screw 19 adapted to bear against an adjacent edge 88 of a work table or desk 8| or other like fixture.

The opposite end portion of this track arm 14 has fixedly secured thereto a connecting link 82 having a slot 83 in alignment with the slot 15 of the track arm 14. The connecting link 82 provides spaced bosses 84 and threaded into these bosses 84, through opposite lugs 85, provided by the block 34, are pivot screws 86.

In alignment with the slot 83 of the connecting link 82 is a socket 81 into which the carriage plate 13 is adapted to be moved when this carriage plate 13 is projected from the inner end portion of the track arm 14 into the position shown in Figs. '1 to 9 inclusive, for reasons hereinafter more apparent.

The mounting blocks 12 are connected together by a cross rod 88, Fig. 1. v

The post 5| bears a cap 89 and this cap rotatably supports a pulley wheel 98, around which passes a connecting cord or wire,9|. The end portion 82 of this connecting cord 9| is connected as at 93 to an end portion of a spring 94, the opposite end portion of the spring 94 being connected as at 95 to the block 12.

The opposite end portion 96 of this cord 9| is connected as at 91 to a sleeve 98 mounted for slidable movement upon the post 5|. To insure maximum freedom of movement of the sleeve 98 relative to the post 5|, an insert 99 of suitable non-frictional material is mounted in the sleeve 98.

The sleeve 98 provides spaced lugs 99'. Pivotally supported by these lugs 88 is a cross rod I88 which connects the sleeves 98 together. These cross rods I88 extend through the mounting block 18 and provide a pivotal connection between the drafting board 68 and the sleeves 98.

Means are provided for latching these mounting blocks 18 and, consequently, the draftin board 68 in an adjusted position with respect to the post 5|. This means includes a brake-shoe |8| operatively engaging, Fig. 5, an eccentric I82 mounted upon the rod I88 between the lugs 99" and secured to the rod I88 by a pin I83. A suitable handle I84 is connected as at I to the cross rod I88. I

The arrangement is such that by rotating-the rod I88, the eccentric I82 will bear against the shoe |8| and releasably latchthe mounting block in an adjusted position with respect to the post 5 I.

Inthe construction of my improved drafting table, if desirable, there may be provided a predetermined friction between the slidably engaging surfaces of the blocks 34 and the guide rods 33 whereby the drafting board supporting structure and the drafting board itself may be-lowered and. raised with, as from within the enclosure 28 or, if desired, a suitable spring balance (not shown) of any well known construction may be employed.

It may be desirable to raise and lower the drafting board supporting structure by mechanical means. Any approved mechanical means may be employed for this purpose. In Fig.- 10 I have shown a suggested form of mechanical means for bcardsupporting structure. this connection,

there is provided on'e'a'chof the blocks 32 an in- The upper end portionsv of each of thesescrew.

shafts lal'ar'e provided with bevel gears I It operatively"meshing. with bevel gears Ill carriedby shafts l2 journalled in suitable bearings I [3 extending from adjacent portions of the enclosure 20; Adjacent end portions of these shafts H2 are connected to a driven bevel gear M4 by bevel gears H 5. The gear I I4 is mounted upon a shaft H6 geared to a driving gear H'I by a gear H8. The driving gear H'l'may be either manually operated'as by a handle H 9 or it may be mounted upon the shaft of an electric motor (not shown).

Fig. 2 of the drawing illustrates the drafting table confined in the enclosure '29. I will now describe the manner in which the drafting table is extended from the enclosure.

The operator first swings back the cover 25 to the position shown in Fig. 1. He then, by grasping the exposed edge portion of the drafting board (assuming that he is manually moving the supported structure from within the enclosure), elevates the table so as to cause the blocks M to move upwardly relative to the guide rods 33 to the positionshown in Fig. 4. In this position of the blocks, the drafting board may be distended to a predetermined position such as is shown in Fig. 1. To accomplish this, the mounting blocks 12 are moved to the outerextremities of the track arm M. In thus moving these mounting blocks '52 to this position, the arm 43 will be unfolded to dispose the sections 4'! and 48 thereof in alignment to rigidly support the post 5| in the position shown in Fig. l.

The pressure on the brake-shoes I! is relieved to permit the sleeves 98 to be adjusted to a desired position relative to the post The clamp screws 53 are loosened so as to permit the sections 52 to be extendedto a desired position to support the drafting board 60 at a desired inclination with respect to the horizontal after which the clamp screws 53 are tightened so as to rigidly hold the drafting board 60 in such position. Pressure is again applied to the brake-shoes It! to rigidly latch the sleeves 93 in adjusted position. If a work table or desk is disposed beneath the drafting board, the clamp screws 19 are adjusted to bear against the adjacent edge portions of such table or desk. If no such table or desk is employed, a suitable extension leg may be provided at the outer extremities of the track arm Hi to support the outer ends thereof. ing table in this position, it is now ready for use.

To confine the drafting board in the enclosure 20, the clamp screws 53 are loosened on the arm 46 to permit the sections thereof to telescope together, after the pressure on the brake-shoes [III has been released to permit the sleeves 98 to move relative to the post 5|. These sleeves 98 are moved relative to the post 5| at a sufficient distance to allow the lower edge portion of the drafting board to clear the top surface of the work table so that when the arms 43 are folded, the operator may move the carriage plates 13 rearwardly with respect to the track arm 14 to a position upon the blocks 34 clearing the slots 15, whereupon the track arms 14 may be elevated to the position in-Fig. 4, in which position the drafting table is, now ready to be lowered into With the draftthe enclosure is either manually or by 'a mechanical means if the latter belem'ployedp: i

From the foregoing description, it is manifest thatIhave provided a drafting table which when,

in use may occupy a storage enclosure; one which.

may be'easily and expeditiously and with the minimum degree ofeifort extended from the enclosure to" a desired drafting position.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred-form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit "of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to'the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim a'sinew and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1.. In combinationan enclosure having a hinged cover, guide member-s arranged ino-pposite corresponding end portions of said. enclosure, mo'untingblocks .slidably connected tosaid guide members, a drafting board, an adjustable arm comprising telescopically arranged sections connecting said board from one edge portion thereof to said. mountingblocks, trackmembers pivotally carriedby said blocks and adapted to be pivoted. to a horizontal vpositionwith respect to .said. enclosure, carriage members carried by said track members and movable longitudinally thereof for movement from said track members into socket elements: provided by said blocks, posts extending upwardly from said. carriage members, means, for providing a slidable, connection between said board and said'posts, and adjustable arms .having pivotal connection with said posts and said mounting blocks 2. .In combination an enclosure having a hinged cover. guide members arranged in opposite corresponding. end portions of said enclosure, mountingblocks:slidably connected to said guide members, a drafting board, an adjustable arm comprising telescopically arrangedsections connecting. said board from one edge portion thereof to said mounting blocks, track members pivotally carriedlbysaid blocks. and adapted to be pivoted toashorizontal position with respect to said enclosure, carriage. members carried by said track members and movable longitudinally thereof for movement from said track'members into socket elements'provided by said blocks, posts extending. upwardly from said carriage members, means for providing a slidable pivotal connection between said. board and said posts, and adjustable arms :havingpivotal connection with said posts and said mounting blocks.

3. In combination an enclosure having a hinged cover, guide members arranged in opposite corresponding. end portions of said enclosure, mounting blocks slidably connected to said guide members, a drafting board. an adjustable arm comprising telescopically arranged sections connecting said board from one edge portion thereof to said mounting blocks, track members pivotally carried by said blocks and adapted to be pivoted to a horizontal position with respect to said en closure, carriage members carried by said track members and movable longitudinally thereof for movement from said track members into socket elements provided by said blocks, posts extending upwardly from said carriage members, means for providing a slidable connection between said board and said posts, adjustable arms having pivotal connection with said posts and said mounting blocks, and means for releasably clamping said slidable connecting means to said posts in an adjusted position with respect to said posts.

4. In combination an enclosure having a hinged cover, guide members arranged in opposite corresponding end portions of said enclosure, mounting blocks slidably connected to said guide members, a drafting board, an adjustable arm comprising telescopically arranged sections connecting said board from one edge portion thereof to said mounting blocks, track members pivotally carried by said blocks and adapted to be pivoted to a horizontal position with respect to said enclosure, carriage members carried by said track members and movable longitudinally thereof for movement from said track members into socket elements provided by said blocks, posts extending upwardly from said carriage members, means for providing a slidable pivotal connection between said board and said posts, adjustable arms having pivotal connection with said posts and said mounting blocks, and means for releasably clamping said slidable connecting means to said posts in an adjusted position with respect to said posts.

5. In combination an enclosure having a hinged cover, guide members arranged in opposite corresponding end portions of said enclosure, mounting blocks slidably connected to said guide members, a drafting board, an adjustable arm comprising telescopically arranged sections connecting said board from one edge portion thereof to said mounting blocks, track members pivotally carried by said blocks and adapted to be pivoted to a horizontal position with respect to said enclosure, carriage members carried by said track members and movable longitudinally thereof for movement from said track members into socket elements provided by said blocks, posts extending upwardly from said carriage members, means for providing a slidable connection between said board and said posts, adjustable arms having pivotal connection with said posts and said mounting blocks, means for releasably clamping said slidable connecting means to said posts in an adjusted position with respect to said posts, and means for releasably latching said telescoping sections in adjusted position with respect to each other.

6. In combination an enclosure having a hinged cover, guide members arranged in opposite corresponding end portions of said enclosure, mounting blocks slidably connected to said guide members, a drafting board, an adjustable arm comprising telescopically arranged sections con-- necting said board from one edge portion thereof to said mounting blocks, track members pivotally carried by said blocks and adapted to be pivoted to a horizontal position with respect to said enclosure, carriage members carried by said track members and movable longitudinally thereof for movement from said track members into socket elements provided by said blocks, posts extending upwardly from said carriage members, means for providing a slidable pivotal connection between said board and said posts, adjustable arms having pivotal connection with said posts and said mounting blocks, means for releasably clamping said slidable connecting means to said posts in an adjusted position with respect to said posts, and means for releasably latching said telescoping sections in adjusted position with respect to each other,

7. ,In combination an enclosure having a hinged cover, guide members arranged in opposite corresponding end portions of said enclosure, mounting blocks slidably connected to said guide members, drafting board, an adjustable arm comprising telescopically arranged sections connecting said board from one edge portion thereof to said mounting blocks, track members pivotally carried by said blocks and adapted to be pivoted to a, horizontal position with respect to said enclosure, carriage members carried by said track members and movable longitudinally thereof for movement from said track members into socket elements provided by said blocks, posts extending upwardly from said carriage members, means for providing a slidable connection between said board and said posts, adjustable arms having pivotal connection with said posts and said mounting blocks, and means for balancing said slidable connecting means relative to said posts.

8. In combination an enclosure having a hinged cover, guide members arranged in opposite corresponding end portions of said enclosure, mounting blocks slidably connected to said guide members, a drafting board, an adjustable arm comprising telescopically arranged sections connecting said board from one edge portion thereof to said mounting blocks, track members pivotally carried by said blocks and adapted to be pivoted to a horizontal position with respect to said enclosure, carriage members carried by said track members and movable longitudinally thereof for movement from said track members into socket elements provided by said blocks, posts extending upwardly from said carriage members, means for providing a slidable pivotal connection between said board and said posts, adjustable arms having pivotal connection with said posts and said mounting blocks, and means for balancing said slidable connecting means relative to said posts.

9. In combination an enclosure having a hinged cover, guide members arranged in opposite corresponding end portions of said enclosure, mounting blocks slidably connected to said guide members, a drafting board, an adjustable arm comprising telescopically arranged sections connecting said board from one edge portion thereof to said mounting blocks, track members pivotally carried by said blocks and adapted to be pivoted to a horizontal position with respect to said enclosure, carriage members carried by said track members and movable longitudinall thereof for movement from said track members into socket elements provided by said blocks, posts extending upwardly from said carriage members, means for providing a slidable connection between said board and said posts, adjustable arms having pivotal connection with said posts and said mounting blocks, means for releasably clamping said slidable connecting means to said posts in an adjusted position with respect to said posts, and means for balancing said slidable connecting means relative to said posts.

10. In combination an enclosure having a hinged cover, guide members arranged in opposite corresponding end portions of said enclosure, mounting blocks slidably connected to said guide members, a drafting board, an adjustable arm comprising telescopically arranged sections connecting said board from one edge portion thereof to said mounting blocks, track members pivotally carried by said blocks and adapted to be pivoted to a horizontal position with respect to said enclosure, carriage members carried by said track members and movable longitudinally thereof for movement from said track members into socket elements provided by said blocks, posts extending upwardly from said carriage members, means for providing a slidable pivotal connection between said board and said posts, adjustable arms having ivotal connection with said posts and said mounting blocks, means for releasably clamping said slidable connecting means to said posts in an adjusted position with respect to said posts, and means for balancing said slidable connecting means relative to said posts.

11. In combination an enclosure having a hinged cover, guide members arranged in opposite corresponding end portions of said enclosure, mounting blocks slidably connected to said guide members, a drafting board, an adjustable arm comprising telescopically arranged sections connecting said board from one edge portion thereof to said mounting blocks, track members pivotally carried by said blocks and adapted to be pivoted to a horizontal position with respect to said enclosure, carriage members carried by said track members and movable longitudinally thereof for movement from said track members into socket elements provided by said blocks, posts extending upwardly from said carriage members, means for providing a slidable connection between said board and said posts, adjustable arms having pivotal connection with said posts and said mounting blocks, means for releasably clamping said slidable connecting means to said posts in an adjusted position with respect to said posts, means for releasably latching said telescoping sections in adjusted position with respect to each other, and means for balancing said slidable connecting means relative to said posts.

12. In combination an enclosure having a hinged cover, guide members arranged in opposite corresponding end portions of said enclosure, mounting blocks slidably connected to said guide members, a drafting board, an adjustable arm comprising telescopically arranged sections connecting said board from one edge portion thereof to said mounting blocks, track members pivotally carried by said blocks and adapted to be pivoted to a horizontal position with respect to said enclosure, carriage members carried by said track members and movable longitudinally thereof for movement from said track members into socket elements provided by said blocks, posts extending upwardly from said carriage members, means for providing a slidable pivotal connection between said board and said posts, adjustable arms having pivotal connection wih said posts and said mounting blocks, means for releasably clamping said slidable connecting means to said posts in an adjusted position with respect to said posts, means for releasably latching said telescoping sections in adjusted position with respect to each other, and means for balancing said slidable connecting means relative to said posts.

NORRIS S. RYDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,396,291 Shaw Nov. 8, 1921 1,956,546 Froelich Apr. 124, 1924 1,699,496 Wasmuth Jan. 15, 1929 1,753,423 Kroschel Apr. 8, 1930 1,853,507 Chandler Apr. 12, 1932 2,010,476 Boylan 1 Aug. 6, 1935 

